Estes Park Sports

Eldora ski resort opens for its 50th season

By Sarah KutaDaily Camera

Posted:
11/17/2012 12:01:00 AM MST

Carl Swanson of Loveland and his 4-year-old son, Tobin, work their way toward the Eldora chairlift on opening day Friday. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ski area. (Jeremy Papasso, the Daily Camera)

To celebrate Eldora's 50th anniversary this season, Courtney Harkins plans to break out her stash of vintage ski gear.

But for opening day Friday, she stuck with a more modern, "fly-low" outfit: mint-green ski pants, a brown vest and a festive hat covered in palm trees and topped with a bright yellow pompom.

The 23-year-old skier, a 2011 graduate of the University of Colorado, will save her closet full of brightly colored eclectic ski bibs for at least her second trip to the resort.

"It's pretty incredible that there is a ski resort here and that everything is so close and so easy," she said of the 50th anniversary. "And it gives me an excuse to wear as much retro gear as I can this year. I have some pretty amazing one-pieces that have been passed down through my family."

Around 25 skiers and snowboarders waited in line, watching the clock tick slowly for Eldora's opening day. The Challenge lift opened to the general public about 8:55 a.m., five minutes earlier than planned.

Temperatures hovered in the low 30s while clouds filled the sky for most of the morning. Wind speeds stayed low, right around 3 mph, according to the official lift-information board.

Hornblower, International and a small run for children and beginner skiers opened Friday.

Three men waited eagerly to see who would get the true first chair at Eldora.

"There's going to be a brawl," said Steven Strassman, 55, laughing as he waited. "We'll duke it out when we get up there. We've been waiting to ski for six months now."